First Friday & Strawberry Festival Combine for 12 Hours of Awesome!

Strawberries are awesome. Festivals are awesome. First Friday is awesome. So it only makes sense that we have combined three totally awesome things in Kokomo on Friday, June 5th for FIRST FRIDAY: STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL! Now, Strawberry Fest isn’t a new concept around Kokomo; in fact, it’s one of our community’s most beloved events. However, for the FIRST TIME EVER, Strawberry Festival and First Friday will team up for 12 hours of fun from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on the courthouse square!

Then, beginning at 5:30 pm, our First Friday venues come out to play! Just a few of the many things you’ll find:

– Donut-eating contest to honor National Donut Day at Gingerbread House Bakery, 6:00 pm
– Fascinating hair show and Strawberry Shortcake appearances from Fade Salon, courthouse square
– Free G.I. Joe action figure giveaway at Kokomo Toys, while supplies last
– Strawberry Festival Royalty Contest, crowning the King, Queen, Prince, Princess, and Berry Cutest Baby of Strawberry Festival at Legacy Boutique & Gallery. Nominations can be submitted now through 4 pm on June 5, with the contest beginning at 5:00.
– Free Scruff McGruff (remember him?! the Crime Fighting Dog!) kids ID kits and a police meet-and-greet at Lytle, Williamson & Teal
– Free wooden toolbox craft for Father’s Day at Carpenters Local 615, while supplies last. Build Dad’s gift and make it a lifelong memory!
– Free native plant giveaway and pollinator info sessions at Kokomo-Howard County Public Library. Learn about the impact pollinators, like bees, have on our ecosystem and how you can use your native plant to help!
– GRAND OPENINGS! We have SO MUCH going on in downtown these days, so we want to highlight that you should check out a few new additions – new outdoor apparel retailer P.F. Hendricks & Co. will host its grand opening ribbon cutting at 5 pm, while new-to-the-block venues 3 Amigos Mexican Grill and Jitterbug & Co. will participate in their 1st First Friday with us! We hear that 3 Amigos will be featuring strawberry margaritas and other fruit-themed drinks for your tasty enjoyment!
– A super-cute “Pocket Park” will display local art between Jamie’s Soda Fountain and Walt Moss Barber Shop, brought to you by Kokomo Art Association and Fortune Companies
– The District will be featuring live music from the Upright Willies for its 1-year anniversary celebration!
– The Coterie will have an excellent line-up of strawberry craft cocktails, including Strawberry Sake Bombs, all infused with local strawberries
– Red Door Vardo Arts & Movement will be engaging the crowd with belly dancing, juggling, a drum circle, swing dancing, and more!

Remember: First Friday and Strawberry Festival are ALWAYS FREE – no admission fees to attend! You’ll pay just $5 for a strawberry shortcake dessert, with tickets available at the event or pre-sale locations: The Coterie, The District, First Farmers Bank & Trust locations, The Foxes Trail, Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, Rhum Academy of Music, Nick Pate Insurance & Financial Services, and the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance office on Main Street.